The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in partnership with the Edo State Drug Control Committee, on Saturday held the maiden edition of the Okpebholo and Marwa Mini-Marathon Race Against Drug Abuse for secondary school students in Edo State.
The initiative brought together students from four secondary schools and was supported by the Department of State Services, DSS; Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC; Ministries of Education and Health; NAPTIP, NYSC and the Edo State Sports Commission.In his welcome address, the Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the fight against drug abuse goes beyond arrests, stressing the importance of engaging young people through sports, education and empowerment.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Drug and Illicit Control, Andrew Efe, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pius Alile, who represented the Governor, also commended the initiative.The race started from the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub on Airport Road, passed through Kings Square and ended at the hub.Ojie Victor emerged winner, while Bright Osemwingie and Chamberlain Miracle placed second and third respectively.
The three winners, all students of Edokpolor Grammar School, are expected to receive one-year full academic scholarships and serve as WADA Student Ambassadors for Edo State.
Speaking with journalists, the NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju; President of EASF, Jeff Leonard; Special Adviser to the Governor on Drug and Illicit Control, Andrew Efe; and Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy in Edo State, Ambassador Solomon Okosun, popularly known as MC Allamano, highlighted the importance of the initiative and the need to sustain efforts against drug abuse.
The three winners, Ojie Victor, Bright Osemwingie and Chamberlain Miracle, also spoke about their experiences after finishing first, second and third respectively, while emphasising the importance of staying away from drug abuse.
